DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners has revoked the license of Dr. Ian Roberts, the Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Des Moines on Friday.

The Iowa Department of Education provided the letter informing Dr. Roberts of its actions on Monday morning. The letter was dated Sunday, September 28th, stating “Our office has received information that you no longer possess legal presence in the United States, therefore you are not able to hold a license issued by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (Iowa Code 256, Iowa Administrative Code 282). The license issued by the Board of Educational Examiners is no longer valid and your authority to serve as superintendent is revoked.”

Read the letter:

Roberts was placed on paid administrative leave by the Des Moines School Board on Saturday. Assistant Superintendent Matt Smith has been appointed to act as interim superintendent of the district.

A press release from the Department of Homeland Security said Dr. Roberts was detained Friday morning after fleeing from officers. It claimed he had a loaded gun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash in his possession when he was detained.

The release also said that Dr. Roberts was given a final order of removal by an immigration judge back in May of 2024 and had no work authorization in the U.S.

DHS said that Dr. Roberts had a previous gun charge from 2020.

Dr. Roberts is currently being held in the Woodbury County Jail in Sioux City, Iowa, according to I.C.E.’s Online Detainee Locator System.